I'm with Bengelbrau. When my wort is cooled, I decant the bottom of the pot into several pitchers, place them in the refrigerator and save the top wort. Everything else settles to the bottom. I freeze the wort in pint or qt containers and never run out for starters. If my wort is 1.048 I add 50% water to make it 1.024 when it's time to make my starter. Why spend money on expensive DME.

I brewed two 5 gal batches of a lager using wyeast 2278. They were in primary for 14 days between 45 and 52 degrees. Batch #1 has been in secondary for 37 days between 34 and 44 degrees. Batch two has been in secondary for 9 days at the same 34-44 degrees. Today the weather is getting warmer here in the NE and today both batches are up to 52 degrees with the weather forecast for more warm air. Do I need to bottle these brews asap or have the previous cold temps already done their thing.

I typically use a six gallon glass carboy for my primary and a blow off hose. Don't put the airlock on for 5 days or in secondary. I find boiled and cooled h2o is the safest way to go if your concerned about vodka contamination.